Dr Abel Soh

Finding ants in your worn underwear may indicate that you might be passing out more sugar in the urine. If this is true, it means that you may have diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a condition caused by insufficient production of insulin (hormone) from the pancreas and inability of the body to use insulin properly. As a result, the blood sugar level rises. When a person's blood sugar level is too high, the extra sugar will be eliminated by the kidneys resulting in sugar in the urine - this can attract ants.

Having increased thirst and frequent urination can be a symptom of having higher than normal blood sugar level (i. e. diabetes mellitus). Diabetes mellitus is the most common medical cause of increased thirst and frequent urination. It is caused by insufficient production of insulin from the pancreas and inability of the body to use insulin properly.

Hi,Prolactin is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland (see figure) which is situated in the head. The function of prolactin is to help women produce breast milk after childbirth. Prolactin level can become higher than normal if there are abnormal cells or a growth in the pituitary gland that overproduce the hormone. Other causes of high prolactin level include some medications and hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland).

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body is unable to properly use and store sugar (glucose), resulting in blood sugar level rising higher than normal. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which comprises 90% to 95% of all cases of diabetes, occurs because the body (in particular, the pancreas) does not produce enough insulin and the body is also unable to use insulin properly (insulin resistance). High blood sugar levels if not controlled over years can lead to damage to the various blood vessels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus is caused by insufficient insulin production from the pancreas. This results in high blood glucose levels before and especially after meals. Individuals with diabetes need to modify their diet regimens so that together with increased physical activity and blood glucose-lowering medications their blood glucose levels can be better controlled. Carbohydrates in the diet directly affect blood glucose levels when digested and absorbed. Foods with high carbohydrate content cause high blood glucose levels after being consumed.

Hirsutism is excessive male-pattern hair growth. The excessive hair growth can occur in the upper lip, chin, midline chest, upper abdomen, limbs, or back. It can be associated with acne and/or male-pattern balding. We usually assess the severity of hirsutism using a clinical score. The most common cause of hirsutism in a premenopausal woman like yourself is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There are also other less common hormonal causes of hirsutism. Some drugs may result in hirsutism as well. I would recommend that you get seen by a doctor to assess the severity of your hirsutism.

Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid gland. They are more commonly discovered as a person grows older. 90 to 95% of nodules found in the thyroid gland are non-cancerous. Only 5 to 10% of thyroid nodules are cancerous. We usually look at the ultrasound characteristics of a nodule to determine if the nodule is suspicious to be cancerous. If there are any suspicious ultrasound features, a fine needle biopsy of the nodule will be recommended to further evaluate the nodule. There is unfortunately no blood test that can help to diagnose thyroid cancer.

Diabetes mellitus is medical condition that causes blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise higher than normal in the body. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In a normal individual, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which allow the cells to take up and use glucose from the bloodstream. When the pancreas makes less than normal amount of insulin, blood glucose level will increase more than normal. When a person has type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. Being overweight increases insulin resistance in the body.

Acne (or pimples) occurs when skin pores get clogged with dead skin and oil, and bacteria build up. Then the skin becomes inflamed and can turn red or swell. Apart from external factors and stress, hormonal factors may also increase the likelihood of acne formation. During adolescence, hormonal changes cause the sebaceous glands to become enlarged. Sebaceous glands are small glands in the skin which produces a lubricating oily matter (sebum) into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and hair. Sebaceous glands are highly sensitive to hormones.

In less than 5% of individuals who have an overactive thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis), a condition known as thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) may be present. About 95% of TPP occurs in men and 5% happens in women with thyrotoxicosis. Eighty percent of cases of TPP occurs in people aged less than 40 years old. People who has TPP may experience sudden attacks of muscle weakness when their thyroid hormone levels are still higher than normal. These episodes may be triggered by heavy exercise, fasting, or high-carbohydrate meals which results in low blood potassium level.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes. Up to 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The risk for someone to develop type 2 diabetes is multi-factorial. Both heredity (genetics) and lifestyle/environmental factors play a role in influencing one's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have one first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is increased 2- to 3-fold. 18,19]. Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher (5- to 6-fold) if both your parents have type 2 diabetes.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system ‘attacks’ the body’s own thyroid gland. Antibodies produced by the immune system stimulate the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones. Graves’ disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) and one of the most common autoimmune disorders worldwide. Graves’ disease causes several hyperthyroid symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, weight loss, hand tremors, anxiety, and muscle weakness.